PUBLIC OPINION > Texting While Walking Should Not Be Banned
SodaHead Living
2012/05/15 22:00:00
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, 38 states currently outlaw texting while driving. But what about walking? Earlier this week, the media was reporting that Fort Lee, New Jersey, had banned texting while walking, prompting a discussion about the pros and cons of the ban. As it turns out, that wasn't the case -- Fort Lee police were merely tacking on an extra fine for jaywalkers if they're texting while crossing the street. But we wanted to know what the public thinks about a ban on texting while walking.
While many agree that texting while walking can be dangerous, the majority feels a ban is taking it too far. In a car, you're endangering the lives of other people; on the pavement, you're only putting yourself at risk. It's a little morbid, but some respondents joked that the problem would solve itself. One commenter wrote, "In this case we should try to let Darwin's law of natural selection take its course unabated."
Teens Wouldn't Dream of It
Most demographics were in agreement, but the age breakdown had a very clear correlation: Younger voters were almost completely opposed, while older voters were more likely to support the ban. Even then, voters over the age of 65 were only 45% in favor of a ban, so it's still a minority. The variance is probably just because older people are less likely to text while they walk.
Something We Agree On
Finally, a ban we can all agree on. Conservatives and liberals were just a few points off on this! It's not the first time both parties have been in agreement, but rarely does a ban witness bipartisan support -- or, in this case, rejection. Maybe we can all gather around the barbecue next weekend and celebrate this awesome and harmonious event. (Texting will be allowed, but not encouraged.)
Parents Push for It a Little More
Not surprisingly, parents were about twice as likely to support the ban as those who want kids. However, respondents who don't want kids at all were also about twice as likely to support the ban. Presumably, these are the ones who don't like seeing kids roaming the streets with their eyes transfixed on their touchscreens, while the parents are more concerned with their own kids' safety.
If you'd like to vote on this question, dig deeper into the demographics, or engage in existing discussion about the topic, visit our poll about texting while walking. We'd love to hear from you!
Seriously, if someone falls into a canal or something, that's their problem.
The ONLY time I can see it banned is when crossing streets. That or make it ineligible to press charges on the person that hit the "victim" if their face was in a phone.
Other than that, let the few morons who screw themselves up be, and leave us who know how to multitask like pros and can pay attention to our surroundings while texting alone.
As I said in the original, just because some of us are "bad apples", don't make the perfectly good ones wear the same leashes.
To mandate a virtuous act is to rob it of its splendor and inspiration.
I define villainy as the causing of physical or financial harm beyond the scope of one's written or spoken consent."
-- I. M. Kable
In short, texting while in motion ought not be banned.
added: Hey, it worked....have you been having trouble posting?
Isn;t the "Nanny State" mentality just about over the limit! Either we are living in a "free" society or not.
I occasionally nap while watching TV, my napping interferes with my watching the TV program. Should the state pass a law forbidding napping while watching TV? Come on, get real, we have to allow people the freedom to choose what is best for themselves. If that freedom involves failure to reach objectives, so be it! Imposing restrictions on individual freedom for some supposed “better good” is antithetical to the purposes that this nation was founded upon!